Here’s Why The Sandman Season 1 Includes So Many DC Easter Eggs

When “The Sandman” first swirled its way onto shelves back in 1988, it actually took place alongside the main DC Universe, so much so that Morpheus crossed paths with some iconic characters from the Justice League and beyond. This is because it was published by Vertigo, a DC Comics imprint which allows creators to explore other stories away from the typical adventures involving Caped Crusaders and Men of Steel. For example, Morpheus meets John Constantine in “The Sandman” #3, before asking for help from Martian Manhunter and Mister Miracle in “The Sandman” # 5, while Batman and Superman later cameo in “The Sandman” #71.

In fact, even the terrifying antagonist John Dee (played in the series by David Thewlis) was a reimagined version of Doctor Destiny, a Justice League foe who first appeared in the 1960s. However, as Morpheus’ story evolved, the series moved away from crossovers with DC characters, to the point where many forget that Sandman is technically a DC property.

In 2021, Gaiman opened up about the DC crossovers on Tumblr. The acclaimed author explained, “It was my desire to do it (often to the bafflement of Dave McKean) not DC’s request, as I loved getting to work in the fabric of the DC Universe […] As Sandman went along it seemed naturally to drift away from the DC Universe into one that looked a lot more like ours.”

So, this is why fans can spot DC Easter eggs scattered across the Netflix series. Whether it’s Johanna Constantine’s origin or the toy versions of Batman, The Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman in Jed Walker’s dreams, the Netflix series is very aware of how to handle “The Sandman” and its connections to the wider DC universe.

When “The Sandman” first swirled its way onto shelves back in 1988, it actually took place alongside the main DC Universe, so much so that Morpheus crossed paths with some iconic characters from the Justice League and beyond. This is because it was published by Vertigo, a DC Comics imprint which allows creators to explore other stories away from the typical adventures involving Caped Crusaders and Men of Steel. For example, Morpheus meets John Constantine in “The Sandman” #3, before asking for help from Martian Manhunter and Mister Miracle in “The Sandman” # 5, while Batman and Superman later cameo in “The Sandman” #71.

In fact, even the terrifying antagonist John Dee (played in the series by David Thewlis) was a reimagined version of Doctor Destiny, a Justice League foe who first appeared in the 1960s. However, as Morpheus’ story evolved, the series moved away from crossovers with DC characters, to the point where many forget that Sandman is technically a DC property.

In 2021, Gaiman opened up about the DC crossovers on Tumblr. The acclaimed author explained, “It was my desire to do it (often to the bafflement of Dave McKean) not DC’s request, as I loved getting to work in the fabric of the DC Universe […] As Sandman went along it seemed naturally to drift away from the DC Universe into one that looked a lot more like ours.”

So, this is why fans can spot DC Easter eggs scattered across the Netflix series. Whether it’s Johanna Constantine’s origin or the toy versions of Batman, The Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman in Jed Walker’s dreams, the Netflix series is very aware of how to handle “The Sandman” and its connections to the wider DC universe.